Dianthus plumarius is a compact evergreen ground cover that is suitable for rock gardens, along paths, over slopes and rock walls. The blooms are spicy/clove-scented with ruffled and fringed petals in shades and combinations of pink, red and white. They bloom from May through August. The plants need sun and well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Although not truly drought tolerant, they are tolerant of dry soil and prefer to dry between waterings. They do not tolerate wet, poorly drained soils, which can lead to disease. Deadheading plants can extend the flowering period and can best be done by shearing spent flowers after blooming. Division in spring is recommended every 2-3 years. Problems: Diseases : Wet, poorly drained soils make plants susceptible to crown rot and fungal rot. Pests: Slugs, cutworms, aphids, caterpillars, thrips and red spider mites.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Dense; Mounding; Spreading
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Blue; Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Soft
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Narrow, grasslike, gray-green or blue-green leaves, 1-4 in. long are opposite, simple, linear and sessile, more or less erect and flexuous.
Flower color
Pink; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Wheel
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The flowers are radially symmetric, hermaphrodite, gathered in scapes of 3–5 flowers, with 10 stamens, with deeply cut, fringed petals. Flowering period is May through August.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The dehiscent capsule splits open when ripe; few seeds.
Stem detail
The stem is green, erect, glabrous and branched on the top, with a sheath embracing the stem
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Eastern Alps to North Western Balkan Peninsula
Wildlife value
Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers.